Have you ever woken up on the wrong side of the bed? And if so, did it seem like your sour mood carried over into the rest of your day?
That’s because how you start your morning often sets the tone for your entire day. This article will review some morning self-care rituals to boost your mood.
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My morning ritual is sacred. For me, there’s something special about the quiet of the early morning hours. In that space, I’m more in tune with my energy levels, I’m better at identifying my needs, and I’m more connected with my goals.
My morning self-care practice is something I look forward to every day when my feet hit the floor. I love pouring myself a hot cup of coffee, cracking open my journal, and prioritizing my day using the Rate Your 8 self-care assessment in The Lifestyle Design Planner.
Some mornings I include yoga, stretching, meditation, or a walk, and other mornings I devote more time to journaling. But giving myself the flexibility to tend to my most pressing needs means that I get exactly what I need every single day.
What Are Self-Care Rituals?
Self-care rituals are the strategies and routines that you’ve identified as being helpful or supportive. Rituals are personal, and that’s why it’s important to invest time in uncovering which self-care strategies are most effective for you.
Your rituals are not fixed. They can (and should) change as you grow as a person and expand your self-care practice.
7 Morning Self-Care Rituals to Boost Your Mood
Does your morning routine need a makeover? Here are a few daily self-care rituals to consider weaving into your morning routine
1. Journal
Many health benefits have been associated with journaling, from helping to reduce stress to improving problem-solving skills.
Getting your thoughts out of your head and onto the pages of your journal helps you see them more objectively, and that means you can make better decisions about how to move forward.
Journaling is a strategy that supports the emotive dimension of self-care, helping you to release intense emotions before they carry over into the rest of your day.
Some people describe their journaling practice as a way to dump negative energy, helping them ease into their day without the weight of a gloomy mood.
And the good news is, there’s no wrong way to journal. To get started, simply experiment with a few different formats of journaling until you find one that’s right for you.
2. Meditate
Meditating in the morning helps improve mental acuity, helping you focus your attention on your desires, goals, and priorities before the day’s demands swoop in to distract you.
Meditation doesn’t require any special skills or equipment either; it only requires a small commitment of your time.
To get started, designate just 5 minutes of your morning routine to meditation. You can choose to sit in silence, listen to a guided meditation, or try a combination of the two.
3. Read
Reading is an easy way to invest in personal and professional growth. Even if you only have time to read a couple of pages each morning, it will help widen your lens on the world.
Whether it’s fiction, nonfiction, the best books for your morning practice are ones that help you cultivate a positive mindset, be sure to choose something you enjoy.
4. Eat Breakfast
Beginning your day with a nourishing breakfast will give your brain the boost of energy it needs to meet the demands of the day.
Focus on lean sources of protein, high-fiber carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Including breakfast daily can reduce snacking throughout the day, improve your mood, and increase your overall productivity.
To make your morning routine easier, take a few minutes each week to map out some quick breakfast menus that can be rotated throughout the week.
5. Drink Water
Do you drink enough fluid each day?
If you’re like most people, remembering to drink enough water can be challenging, especially when you’re juggling a lot of tasks.
Beginning your day with a glass of water can help ensure that you stay properly hydrated, and it may also keep hydration at the top of mind the rest of the day.
Some people find it helpful to fill a large water bottle in the morning, so it’s easier to know how much fluid you’ve consumed at various points throughout the day. Visual cues can help you stay on track with your health goals.
6. Use Essential Oils
Essential oils have become extremely popular in recent years, especially among self-care enthusiasts.
Research has shown that aromatherapy offers a wide variety of health benefits, from reducing depressive symptoms to improving sleep quality.
I’m a big fan of using essential oils in the shower. Each morning, I add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to the corner of the shower. It’s calming and it makes my shower feel luxurious. I have to admit that I was a little surprised by how effective this simple strategy was. It helps me ease into my mornings feeling calm and focused.
There are many different ways to use essential oils, and a wide variety of scents to choose from.
7. Skin Care
Do you have a skin care ritual in the morning?
If it’s been a while since you’ve had a professional examine your skin, it might be a good time to make an appointment with your dermatologist or aesthetician.
Skin care isn’t just about reducing wrinkles and maintaining a youthful appearance. Sun damage can lead to serious health issues, so catching concerns early is key.
What you might now know is that your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it’s also a major component of your immune system. Acting as a barrier, your skin helps prevent harmful pathogens and bacteria from entering your body.
That’s why creating a morning skin care routine is essential for helping your skin do its job to protect you. To get started, gather up some skin care essential, such as a moisturizer, exfoliator, and sunscreen, and build your routine from there.
Build a Morning Self-Care Routine
To set a positive tone for your day, include a variety of mood-boosting self-care rituals each morning. Even if you don’t have a lot of extra time to spare in the morning, you can begin with tiny acts of self-care and work your way up from there.
Which self-care help boost your mood? Share in the comments below.
Information on this website should not be interpreted as providing or replacing medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is intended for adults over the age of 18. *LivingUpp is a participant in affiliate programs, which means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases on links to Amazon and other sites at no additional cost to you.
